African Bank offers Cape Town Marathon runners 50% discount to join Soweto Marathon

• Many runners were left disappointed after the sudden cancellation of the Cape Town Marathon last weekend
• African Bank has stepped forward with a special gesture for affected athletes, offering a unique opportunity
• Those hoping to join the Soweto Marathon have a limited window to secure the deal, with African Bank rewarding its loyal customers

African Bank has stepped forward to support runners affected by the abrupt cancellation of last weekend’s Cape Town Marathon. The bank, which sponsors the Soweto Marathon, has announced a 50% discount for Cape Town entrants wishing to join The People’s Race on 29 November 2025.

The Cape Town Marathon was called off at the 11th hour due to dangerously strong winds, leaving thousands of runners disappointed. In response, African Bank, in partnership with the Soweto Marathon NPC, introduced the relief offer to give athletes a new race to look forward to.

Read also

“Higher education is not underfunded”: Stellenbosch University's former COO leads new R325 million university

“Following the weekend’s cancellation of the Cape Town Marathon due to severe weather, African Bank and the Soweto Marathon organisers are inviting affected runners to register for the Soweto Marathon at half the usual entry fee,” the bank said in a statement.

Runners to claim discounted Soweto Marathon entry

African Bank Group Chief Marketing Officer Sbu Kumalo said the gesture was intended to show solidarity with South Africa’s running community.

He explained that, to ease the disappointment experienced by many runners, African Bank was offering a 50% discount on entry fees for up to 5,000 Cape Town Marathon registrants who wanted to take part in the 42km Soweto Marathon at Nasrec.

Kumalo added that runners would have until 1 November to claim the offer, and that African Bank customers would receive 100% of their entry fees back in rewards points. He noted that participants would need to provide proof of their Cape Town Marathon registration to qualify, with verification available through the Soweto Marathon race office.

Soweto Marathon spokesperson Jabu Mbuli welcomed the initiative, saying it reinforced the strong partnership between African Bank and the marathon organisers.

He emphasised that the organisers placed the running community first, acknowledging that runners simply wanted to run. Mbuli encouraged all affected athletes to join The People’s Race and said they would be delighted to host them.

Read also

From glory to suspension: Springboks Star Makazole Mapimpi hit with 5-match ban

Meanwhile, Briefly News reported previously that Kenyan marathon star Ruth Chepngetich was slapped with a three-year ban after testing positive for a prohibited substance, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) confirmed on Thursday 23 October 2025.

The 31-year-old, who holds the women’s marathon world record and is a former world champion, tested positive for the banned diuretic hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) in March this year. She had already been provisionally suspended since July pending investigations.

Mpumalanga marathon winner yet to receive prize money

Briefly News reported previously that the 2024 Mpumalanga Marathon, one of South Africa’s richest road races, was at the centre of controversy after the men’s winner, Lesotho’s Jobo Khatoane, was yet to receive his prize money.

The race offered more than any other marathon in the country, surpassing even the Comrades Marathon payout won by Gerda Steyn, who received R870,000 in May 2025

Source: Briefly News